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No Hard Feelings (2023)
When Hollywood cries, "More Cowbell"....
Major miss by marketing, and I can't help but feel like the reason this wasn't more successful was because it was like they couldn't decide what kind of movie theme it was supposed to be. The story told itself, wrapped nicely by fine acting. Truly I think this is the unapologetic Jennifer Lawrence, and see she's really finding her acting chops. While she is center stage, she holds it well, and with depth. I think also that the story was deeper than people realized as it was a very detailed story, with lots of symbolism of generational gaps, and the very idea that we are coming from whole other worlds sometimes. Only to find somehow to not only grow from one another but to even bridge the gap. Although not without some pain.
The comedy elements miss in most parts and could've even done without the majority of them. One scene also deemed the iconic scene for this movie is when Lawrence is naked, congrats you missed the point of the scene and becomes the overemphasized sales pitch for the film. However, it is more than the nudity that makes a movie, if you're in it for that, get a porno. Lawrence did a fabulous job and I haven't been her biggest fan. I think many people miss the finer details of the film because it was lost in "Hollywood" saying it needed more "cowbell". It took away from an otherwise fantastic flick. Try rewatching this and look for more of the detail and less at the "flashing signs". You will see it's much deeper than it seems on the surface.
M3GAN (2022)
Chucky Meet M3gan
While the premise isn't all that new, this was a different take on the homicidal-robot. While there is a good creep factor to the doll and the way it looks and behaves, it was writing, and dialogue, that really take this down to a standard horror movie, nothing special.
The film really doesn't show any real inspiration other than the doll it's self, but there are some serious holes in this that were not able to hold up as they continue to be a massive flaw to the suspension of disbelief. Once broken, there isn't any going back. It's flaws mount through out and many unlikable characters almost make me root for M3GAN, almost. Which is not the purpose of a film like this, we're (the audience) supposed to root for the victims of horror movies, we should be eager for their survival from the horrors of the story. This doesn't do this very well at all, I was honestly rather disappointed through-out and even in the end. At least Chucky didn't take itself so seriously, by doing so they could far easier "bend the rules" when it comes to disbelief. Wait for streaming, maybe a pay-per-view.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Nonsense - not really even entertaining
This is yet another installment of the drivel from Hollywood/Marvel. While it had more Thor than Strange was part of his 2nd movie - this was not coherent, in fact rather it was whimsical, directionless, and complete waste. I can only give credit to Bale's performance as he seemed to be the only one who was trying. Everyone else was a hollow representation, a shell of the character. Too bad Bale was coming from another film to put the 100% to this - although it wouldn't have saved this trash.
Every attempt to be funny was a miss to me. Everything that was meant to have meaning was meaningless. Everything that was supposed to have a reason, either didn't or was explained in the dumbest way possible. This is just another installment of Propaganda Marvel films, and the complete ideocracy that has become Hollywood today. They do not care, everything is a tool to spread the messages that want. Nothing is sacred, nothing is nuanced, or complex. When it should be complex, it's pathetically simple. Like if you wanted to break into CIA HQ in Langly, it's not a problem because what you need will fall in your lap, and all the guards are completely inept. Oh and like an Epstein - the cameras will magically "not work". They think you are this dumb that you should be eating this puke pile up and be saying, "thank you, may I have another?"
The film has so much to go over but not without spoilers so I simply say miss this one. Miss it entirely. Don't bother with it even in streaming, as it was a complete and utter waste of time. I'd rather have watched grass grow, at least I could contemplate the meaning of life and have got more out of it.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Top Gun is back and ready for more
When I first heard about this film I was skeptical, Hollywood hasn't done a good job of late and so I was concerned that this would be some agenda driven drivel but was pleasantly surprised. However, with that said, I was only further surprised when there was no agenda at all from beginning to end. It was incredible, Hollywood made an actual film again?! For Entertainment?! Wow. Bonkers.
Never the less, this film was everything you should expect from a sequel so many years later. It offers interesting story from the original that didn't skew off into some absurd difference, it was as if they had this planned all along - maybe they did, just took this long to achieve it.
Still the cinematography was on point, just like the original Top Gun, and the passing of a torch was successful here where it has failed in so many other Hollywood films. Why? Because it never once took a crap on the originals. It never once disgraced the fans, or the original films. Instead it was more like Logan in that it was also about getting too old to keep doing this, but having enough fight to still get in there and get it done. Well done to the crew of this film, on point in a film that could've gone so much worse.
2000 Mules (2022)
An Important Documentary that has energy
The many documentaries out there are always meant to educate and sway the audience. The effect of the sway is not as significant as the facts the documentary presents, and the way it is presented for wider audiences. With that said this had good and bad points. Some slower moments, but the presentations of the facts were superior. I appreciated the breakdowns, but the facts of this particular documentary was clear.
That is a bit of an understatement considering the nature of the importance of this documentary's subject matter. D'Souza media presented this with a shade of bias but more overly the importance behind the facts. That was the magic of this film. I don't always walk away impressed by a documentary but the conclusions of this are unsettling, almost as unsettling as Epstein and the secrets surrounding that. However, both hold significant importance and both are being kept as secret. So appreciate the bringing to light of these facts, some documentarians really do make a difference, my only hope is people hear with an open mind.
The film itself is marred only by the slower moments, along with the panel of Conservative/Republicans. I wonder if it could've been more engaging had you taken a completely "unbiased" panel (Random people of credit and experience) to go over the information presented if that would have been more effective. Still while it is highly recommended to watch, it's more for it's material, than the film itself.
Firestarter (2022)
This wasn't King's work, nor should it exist
This is not the fault of any actor or actress, they all did what they do. It's bad writing, bad character development, and overall just a terrible version of a classic. The truth of this film is wasted in that terrible writing. There are tons of contradictions and more so when it comes to the characters thinking.
Without spoilers it becomes hard to dissect the film the way you would need to understand. Majority of the time is just a WTF moment of why anyone would say, or do that. The motivations and thoughts of people are instead turned into "narratives" and are hollow representations of "people". This form of film making is more prevalent in modern Hollywood.
You can safely miss this film. Don't bother, watch the original, and enjoy that much better. One last remark - Every adaptation fails to live up to it's origin. The origin will always be special. So never go into the movies expecting even near perfect adaptation, it will never live to that.
The Batman (2022)
A view of Batman that I could do without
While I can get behind a new take to the Batman franchise, I felt this was a take from someone who didn't understand Batman. Sure it had detective like quality in the story, and the acting was on par (despite race-swaps and a off brand comment). However it was the seeing Batman as morose and brooding, even as the esteemed Bruce Wayne. While the story and the cinematography are good, acting is good, it fails to be a true sense of Bruce/Batman in the ways that he should've been.
Even the choreography was good, but to live up to the Bat I think it had too much light, some plot holes that didn't make sense, and a few nonsensical bits. I feel while the major elements of the movie held together better than anticipated it still fell flat in ways because of the lack of those true Batman characteristics. Bruce was not dumb about how he did things. I felt that Robert did a fine job in acting but he really didn't hit the mark because the director/writers decided to go a weaker Batman in comparisons to the actual character.
In other words this seems like it could've been any "vigilante" movie, but was plugged in to the Batman simply to drive up sales. Many of the characters didn't resemble their personas from the comics, and while I again understand this is a different take on the series, it doesn't work for me as a whole. If this were rewritten as a stand alone vigilante story, I think it would've stood out so much better.
The King's Man (2021)
It's not the Kingsman you're used to but it's a King's Man
It certainly doesn't live to the normal Kingsman movies, it failed to have fun, and not take things too seriously. It also missed some of the fun and humor points, but in all this was a tale of the King's Man. That said, Fiennes did fantastic as his usual, but the rest didn't quite hit marks. I felt nothing for most the characters, the only two were note-worthy. The scenes felt forced, and chemistry lacking.
It felt more like a Mission Impossible or Bond, than it did a Kingsman movie. While it used the name and origins, it still didn't quite make the mark as wonderfully as the ones preceding this one. While there also was a few moments of nonsensical decisions, and a "Mary Sue" of a maid, it isn't overwhelming. Only a couple well choreographed fight scenes, but one was in a dancing like style that really didn't work.
In all this movie wasn't great, it wasn't bad, it was mediocre. I still believe if it wasn't for Fiennes this movie would've been much worse. It may not live to the name of Kingsman, but it certainly can be the King's Man. Just don't try to continue this unless you can bring back that light fun and style of the Kingsman prior. It would be unbecoming to disgrace the previous Kingsman movies.
Scream (2022)
This is nothing more than a straight up attack against you
If you're a fan, of anything, especially horror movies this is an attack against you. They take a crap on everything that is not only fandom, but on horror movies in general. They give you the middle finger because you want to see something worth paying your hard earned dollars to see, but they don't care about that. They care about "The Message" that is all that is relevant in this movie.
The slapped together story makes no sense. None. During this film they attempt to be Meta but comes off as lame and cheep let alone the fact that they're constantly either digging at the original or horror movies in general. They take all the "tropes" of the prior movies and try to either mash them or smash them. They try to throw twists that are seen from the start. It's terrible writing and worse yet the survival rate of this horror is nothing of actual horror movies. Most everyone survives, the littlest girls are tougher than most men I know. Meanwhile they just hate on either the prior movies, or hate on you (a fan).
The people who made this are straight out attacking you within the dialogue and story. Meanwhile propping up their own "Message" ideals while at the same time drawing nothing of sensibilities, or reality. IE: How does someone take a kick to a recently broken leg, and a kick to a stomach that's been stabbed and stay standing? Because she's a tough female and can take it. Meanwhile to say there is no adults minus the original (fanservice characters). They disrespect everything that built this movie to be a franchise, then to dedicate it to Wes Craven was an insult.
They seriously insult the fans of Wes, they insult his work, they insult fans in general simply because you love it. Meanwhile they're happy to profit from it. Don't watch this. It's a piss on everything including the audience.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
Propaganda laced senseless nostalgia
I loved the original Ghostbusters 1 & 2, while this had throw-backs throughout the movie with "Easter eggs" and various things, it didn't add up to make a great movie. Nostalgia was the bait to get people to view this garbage. Kids are smarter than adults, and in a town that has nothing to do, everybody is either clueless, or stupid, or somehow completely absent.
I couldn't go into more detail without spoiling this, but what only constitutes a 4star for this was nostalgia, and some visual effects, along with a small bit of humor. It had the pieces but it was put together so sloppy that it falls apart if you ask too many questions. What? How? When? How did they know that? Why? None of it will be explained. At the same time it's almost a direct rehash of the original. Nothing original here, nothing believable. Even for a Ghostbusters movie, it had nothing of sense, or the fun. I feel this was absent that most of all - the fun of being on a ride with the Ghostbusters. The other 2 of 4 stars comes only at the salvation of Harold and their not taking a total dump on his memory. If you can see the propaganda in this then you understand, but if you don't it is mindless flick that you could watch in the background. Which I wouldn't even do that.
The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
Wanna take a dump on a hero and a trilogy watch this...
This was nonsense. They toss you into this story with no background, no understanding or explanations, no you get to piece it all together piece by piece. Then to boot, we find the Wahmans who isn't afraid of an Agent, no, she would fight him instead like she's so "bad-ass" that she can deal with an agent instead of running like they should.
Then capture our hero, worn and tired, lifeless and weak. All through the movie, this doesn't stop. Sure he wakes up but still doesn't have nearly the power he used to, can someone say impotence = I knew you could. This meanwhile while we hail ONLY the women of the trilogy while dumping on Morpheus and Agent Smith through out by reminding us how much better the original trilogy was (in the movie). Absurd breaks of the 4th wall, and a complete on-the-nose awareness of things that breaks any belief in this story at all.
Combine that with political propaganda, not as heavily dosed but still obvious, add a few dashes of "The Message" and some CGI, tada this crap was put together. Watchowski failed to realize the story of the Matrix because they didn't write the original, they had a lawsuit for theft of the idea that was settled. Thus they failed to write the follow ups to the original (they weren't nearly on the level as the 1st). This movie takes a loaded duce on the Trilogy, Neo, the Fans, and any poor soul to view this trash.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
This is mediocre nostalgia
While I could say that the movie was complete garbage for the majority, it was the salvation from a 1star film by Dafoe, Garfield, McGuire, and Cumberbach. However many of the jokes fall flat on their face, many of the moments that should've felt like "achievement" felt like participation award simply for doing. Even then there are so many holes to fill that do not make sense. Without spoiling it in a absolute way, there are also some serious questions about some of what happened that really are bad.
I believe most people will love this simply for it's touch of nostalgia, I don't believe it merits a worthy enough film simply based on that. I felt that everything seemed so rushed and smashed together that I am sure I missed elements that may also come into question that I didn't catch. As for the ones I did, believe me it's bad. I especially didn't care for the racial comment in it but regardless, I felt that the 5stars are warranted for the nostalgia and performance by those special few.
The fact is that also this didn't understand Peter Parker, Spider-Man, or any of the villains. It was very much in question what kind of nonsensical idiot would've done some of the things they do in this film along with everything "just so happened" to be just the thing/action/power they needed. This was a win for Tony Stark, and Starktech but for Spiderman this was barely mediocre - thank Toby and Andrew for saving this movie from the fire.
No Time to Die (2021)
The Focus of an Aged Bond and the retirement of a franchise
This movie had a similar feel as I did with Logan, watching a Timeless Hero withering. The entire movie I felt this isn't a Bond movie. One thing this broke was the relationship of the 007 title and the James Bond title. Where other Bond films left the relationship as one and the same, and they never bothered to explain that it may change to someone else whenever they brought a "new" face to the franchise. This movie separated that and made James Bond into one man, and that is where it ceases to be similar.
From that point on, you can imagine that watching them slip further into aging process to a point you know they're not at the top of their game is difficult. Let alone the lame attempts to jab at Bond personality and smush in some Political Agenda within it. In the end I felt like they successfully ended a franchise that didn't need to be ended. While at the same time successfully bashing the Bond character throughout.
The Wave (2019)
A thinker's rollercoaster ride, with lots of questions
In a time when Hollywood is pumping out formulaic movies with out thought, this was a nice refreshing breath of air. It makes use of imagery and has artistic value, but at the same time a thought provoking story that takes you on a ride you will be curious about from beginning to end.
It's not the acting, but more overly the events happening to him (Long). Thus we follow average joe, on a wild ride through a trip like acid and peyote laced with DMT. There are some decisions you wonder why/how but not story breaking. There are still a few plot holes that make it harder to determine the full story here. Also though they make vague mentions of a deeper meaning behind everything, they do little to fully explain to events, or the order in which things transpire.
This ends with a bit of a convoluted message about the deeper meaning behind it all, and thus only leaves the audience with many questions and thought provoking ones at that. Enjoy a thinker that takes a ride, and maybe another view or two to fully grasp.
Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin (2021)
Tried and failed to live up to it's predecessors
Most found footage type films hold to one thing, it's recovered footage, while this wasn't "found footage" it still takes place behind the lens of a cameraman. However, several times they broke that theory as a camera angle from a invisible/unknown camera provides a shot through the film. That's only one area of problem for this film.
Another area is the nonsensical choices, the unbelievable story arc, and the completely absurd filming. The Paranormal Activities prior were better and more cohesive, this was poorly done and really didn't offer anything but a weak story that still doesn't make me like this movie at all. None of it seemed really plausible, and the choices of the characters were more about a narrative/agenda than telling a linear story. In the end this whole movie fails to live up to the predecessors.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
This is more trash from Hollywood
Someone failed big time, no rephrase that, Hollywood failed big time. I don't know how this even got past screening. I would award more points to the effects teams who had a lot to do with this garbage film. I really love Tom Hardy's abilities and he was a slight saving grace to this trash-fire. The worst part is the writing, none of it makes sense.
It shows throughout that Hollywood doesn't know how to write anymore, the dialogue is bad, and their understanding of these characters are not there. All the lessons from the first are thrown out entirely, and everything that was great from the first are not here for the sequel.
For some reason it's not about telling a good story, or having fun with making a movie, it's about "narratives" and using their "platforms" to spin some garbage narrative that doesn't fit reality, or even fiction. It's too impossible not to tell you how bad this movie is without spoiling it all, but the fact of the matter is - if you loved the first- Do Not See This.
Malignant (2021)
Effects and mystery for little to no reason
I felt like much of this was just filled with some propaganda narrative to carry the story, then the big twist was not all that big of a twist, but worse yet the mechanics and plot holes do not seem to matter. The movie tries to keep you in the dark on purpose about the mystery to the movie - much like I am about Spoilers. The trouble is this is the movie so it's a bit more of an annoyance like someone toying with you. "I know something, you don't know."
In the end results it really falls apart, nothing seems to match well and some of worst CGI fight scenes I have seen from Hollywood in a long time. I felt like there was more if they could've given more of a damn about the story and filling plot holes than they did filling it with their personal agenda. Then it may have been something decent.
Don't Breathe 2 (2021)
Villain becomes Anti-hero = Dark Action Flick
In this sequel, it is gritty and raw, but at the same time I feel there are a few plot holes here and there. At least in the day that Hollywood can't put out anything but woke - this is a 10 Star for that alone. However, I felt the minor plot holes to really not make much difference. I think the acting was good, and the story was brilliant in keeping the similar shock that is more like punches to the gut.
The writer shows in a way that some villains are worse than others. I suppose this is of kind of monster vs monster match-up but the real truth of this was also back in the first one. The audience somewhat related to the man in the first one, now he is the anti-hero after being the villain. The rest of this story seems a bit much, but if you're looking for a gory, gritty ride, this helps in a time of Hollywood failures.
The Green Knight (2021)
Artistic Masterpiece, but a little slower
This highly artistic film was reminiscent of the Pan's Labyrinth, with a different tale dealing with Sir Gawain, this was masterfully done. Very vibrant and colorful, but at the same time the art doesn't stop there, from the dialogue and the long shots of Gawain on his journey, the art quality keeps it incredibly colorful and unique in it's own right.
However, I feel like the shots were just a bit too long and drawn in some cases and in others it was too quick to have fully grasped what we were seeing. There was so much detail and lack of it. The audio could barely be heard in some points but overall the movie was a masterful artwork, but I personally prefer a bit more entertainment, but if you want to sit down with a glass of wine and watch something artistic. This is a great choice.
Stillwater (2021)
Passable, but watch for the curve balls
Matt Damon really held this film together, although in ways it was everyone else too, I personally didn't care for this story. I felt like I was just tired for him and to have a daughter be so mean, yeah maybe he wasn't the best dad prior but he literally flies to France to visit is daughter in prison. I don't know many Dads who would've even had that ability to do that.
There are a few "agenda" pieces in this movie, but if you move past those when they come it's worth the watch. A couple of curves in here from out of the blue, if you're into a decent drama and slight mystery. Then this can really carry you through, I wouldn't want to have paid the Theater pricing but if you stream it, it's watchable. I wouldn't quite label it a family movie but it's good for the thought.
Reminiscence (2021)
When you TRY to be Psychological
An attempt to be a thinker but it wasn't at all. The attempt to make a mystery failed as there really wasn't a mystery here, and even then it's more a love story than anything else. Add in heaps of propaganda for no reason, it just gives doses of absurd ideas scattered through out. Also, memory is faulty, it is entirely based on our perception.
I can ask you after you walk down a block, if a yellow car passed you. Based on your perception you would consider it, but it's still if you perceived the car as yellow, but really it was silver reflecting. See memory isn't 100% accurate. It's almost all the writing of this, not the acting, but the horrible story. Even then I just didn't feel anything for anyone because I was pushed through everything else in ways that never seemed to make any difference. I'd rather have not seen this, it's not worth the time honestly. The woke moments drug it down to sinking this with a flop. Don't bother, not even with a stream.
Playing God (2021)
Godlike, no, but a heartful tale, even if a bit tall...
While in the Good standing not much is good about this. Alan's role in this was phenomenal, truly showing some of the depth of his skill, the rest fall a bit as they are not very well written. Much of the movie isn't well written but it's at least one with heart.
Finally a movie that isn't propaganda based, not even on a particular religious based. The movie had great shots, decent to okay dialogue but the story just wasn't there, it wasn't real and I didn't believe it, it was kind of hard to believe much of the "backstory" but whatever, it's a movie at a time when Hollywood pumps propaganda. - Check this one out.
Mind you it is more drama based than Alan's usual brands of comedy. Just keep that in mind and you'll enjoy this film. It's not the best out there but at least it's a step away from the garbage of modern Hollywood. Rent or Stream this one is worth a watch.
Wrath of Man (2021)
I feel like I have been here before
I love Guy Ritchie's style, have since Lock, Stock, but this was mediocre in comparison to some of his other work. While not comparing either Statham or Ritchie's prior work, this is a good decent movie. Nothing seemed to really stick out although it did have some great action. That's what this movie was about, the action.
For an action movie the effects work, the story is decent, the writing could've used a bit more polish, and the choreography was on top of it. Yet this all worked together very well, the film just became a run that died out before it finished. I wasn't involved to the end, some of it was easy enough to see coming, but the action seemed a bit repetitive after a moment. I just felt while this may be a quality rental, it's not Statham's finest, nor his worst. It seemed more like a movie to pay the bills and not something either director nor star seemed interested in.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)
A Western version of Creep Show
I wasn't sure what to make of this going in, the first story of Buster Scruggs was enjoyable but the following stories became a bit of head scratching. They were completely different in tone than the first story of it's line-up. There was some points that seemed to linger too long, or were drawn out for effect, but were unnecessary. I felt the actors did wonderful performances for each story but I just felt a little weird by the end, wondering if there was fully any point.
The true western style living is easily portrayed here, from rotten teeth to the harsh reality of a western frontier that was deadly by many factors. It also portrayed the people of the time very accurately and to some degree it still cleaned it up a bit too. While I am not a big fan of westerns, this wasn't bad, but I would only recommend this to the fans of westerns. A simple take on stories from the west, exaggerated or true, doesn't matter, you take what you will from them.
Boss Level (2020)
Groundhog eat yer heart out
This movie is a superb ride that not only is fun, entertaining, but also can be watched again and still find some new pieces. With a "Groundhog Day" style movie that isn't very easy to do as each day is a repetition. Yet this makes it eventful, fun and completely a fluid ride that logically tracks (except for the science).
While much of the movie has some over the top moments, the whole thing comes as a plausible when reliving a moment over and over. As well as it just was supposed to have that cheesiness that was more of a flavoring to the movie and it's hero. It makes sense as there is an element to the entire movie of campiness and cheese. Yet they are able to balance it and make it work so it's so much more fun.
The special effects could've used a bit more polish but overall it's not the CGI, it's not just the acting of Grillo (superb btw) or any one actor, it isn't the story, or the directing/cinematography, it wasn't the soundtrack, or overall sound quality, it was the combination of a variety of professionals that came together to make this a ride that is truly at Boss Level.